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First glances in New Delhi, India

From the moment we landed near New Delhi for our short 72-hour visit, it was immediately clear we had stepped into a completely different world.

Based in the UAE at the time, we decided to fly over to India for a brief taste of the country, knowing it would be intense but curious to experience it firsthand. Even the airport arrival set the tone. Our taxi driver (Le Passage to India) enthusiastically offered not just a ride, but his services as a full-blown travel agent, launching straight into itinerary planning before we’d even left the airport. We politely declined, thanked him for the advice, and moved on, though he didn’t seem entirely thrilled by our decision.

Armed Guards Protecting the Hotel

Our hotel, (Metropolitan Hotel and Spa, New Delhi) located in central Delhi, was modest but eye-opening. Armed guards stood at the entrance, and guests passed through airport-style security screening just to enter the building. It was a clear reminder that security here operates on a different level. After settling into our room, we ventured out for an evening meal, immediately struck by how different everything felt. The sights, sounds, and smells were a world apart from the calm, ordered environment we’d left behind in the UAE, busy, loud, fascinating, and overwhelming all at once.

Over the next couple of days, we explored as much as we could, soaking up a small but memorable snapshot of India. Unfortunately, one careless moment; drinking water without double-checking, put an abrupt halt to my enthusiasm. Almost immediately, stomach pains set in, and the remainder of the trip became more about recovery than exploration. Before we knew it, we were back on a plane to the UAE, grateful for the experience but equally relieved.

A visit to the Taj Mahal was a must!

Despite the challenges, we did manage to visit the Taj Mahal and a handful of other national highlights, moments that made the trip worthwhile. My husband even braved a tuk-tuk ride, being driven headfirst into typical Delhi traffic, while I opted out from the sidelines, not quite ready for that level of adventure this time. Perhaps on another visit, better prepared and with a stronger stomach, we’ll experience more of what India has to offer.

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With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.

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